Brassiere



Decfz, 1947. y R. J. RED/ARES Y 2,431,829

BRASSIERE Filed April 16, 1945 /NVENOQ 5% fw) www 28 al/WJM,

stresses imposed upon the cup when the garment is worn.

In order further to obtain the advantages of the invention, the direction of the threads in the cup layers must be considered. In Figs. 3 and 4, the line 28 represents the middle front of the garment, where the two cups I and 2 are joined. In the top layer I3 the threads running parallel to the selvage of the material have a direction indicated by the arrow I6. As the dome is formed by bringing the two edges I'I and I8 together, the threads at the outer edge of the cup are conformed to the dome. There is a bias at the top of the cup which permits this part of the cup to stretch in the direction of arrow I9; that is, the bias isk in this direction.

Similarly, the threads running parallel to the selvage edge in the lower layer I4 (Fig. 4l -are in the position indicated by the arrow 20. However, at the upper portion of the breast cup, there is a bias, permitting stretching along the direction of arrow 2|.

The directions of the selvage edges of the two layers I3 and I4 are cho-sen purposely, so that they are at right angles to each other, as represented by the arrows IS and 20. In fine materials, such as lace or net, there is a difference in the strength of the warp and woof threads; accordingly,` by making the direction of the selvage edge different between the layers, a more uniformly strong structure is provided for the cups.

Furthermore, the lower edge 29 of the cup I has a direction substantially along the direction of either the warp or woof threads.

The effect of this arrangement is that any force exerted along the lower edges of the cups by the body-encircling band is ineffective to distort the cups. At the same time, the upper portion of the cups can readily conform themselves to the contour of the wearer, since the shoulder strap 24 or 25 exerts a force diagonal of the direction of the threads. The vermicelli embroidery reinforces the cups, and especially by joining the layers I3 and I4 securely together. In this way, both layers equally divide any stresses upon the fabric of the cups. Accordingly, the cup layers I3 and material, as sumcient strength is obtained by the joined layers.

Reinforcement for at least some of the cup edges is provided by the `stout inelastic fabric members 22 and 23. The member 22 is attached over the top of edges 39, 3| of cup I, and crosses so that it extends substantially to the lowermost point of cup 2. Similarly, the member 23 crosses underneath member 22 to reinforce the top of `cup 2 and the lower portion of cup I. These members 22 and 23 are permanently stitched to the cups along their entire length; and they are also stitched together where they cross. Thus, they `form a frame or margin for both cups along the edges corresponding to lines 29, 30, and 3| of Figs. 3 and 4. Furthermore, these reinforcing members are preferably of strong ribbed material, one series of threads of which run in a substantially vertical direction. Shoulder straps 24 and 25 are joined to the tops of the cups by the aid of loops 26, 2'I. At their other ends they are fastened adjacent the extremities of the body-forming members 6 and 'I.

Accordingly, since the shoulder straps 24 and 25 exert an upward pull upon the members 22 and v23, these members are capable of transmitting .the pull without being urged out of place;'f`or 4 the pull is in the direction of one of the series of threads in these members.

At the same time, the shoulder straps 24 and 25, exerting a pull on the lower edges of breast cups I and 2, serve to maintain these edges flat and against the body of the wearer. This effect is due to the crossing over of the reinforcing members 22 and 23.

It is not essential that the cups I and 2 be formed of double layers. A single layer can be used if it is of suiiiciently stout material. In such event, the threads parallel to the selvage edge may be arranged as in either of the layers I4 need not be made of stout I3 or I4 (Figs. 3 and 4).

The inventor claims:

1. In a garment of the character described: a body-encircling member; a pair of breast cups attached to the member; each of said cups being Vformed of a fabric in which the threads at least at the upper portions of the cups are diagonal to the direction of pull on the cups when in use; a pair of inelastic reinforcing bands, each extendingvalong and attached to the top edge of the respective cup, and crossing at the center of the garment to extend along a portion of the lower edge of the other cup to a place substantially below the crest of the said cup, said bands being permanently attached together where they cross; and shoulder straps connecting the reinforced upper edges of the breast cups and encircling members, the straps and the bands being thereby coordinated to hold the breast cups against the body of the wearer.

2. In a garment of the character described: a body-encircling member; a pair of breast cups attached to the member, each of said cups being formed of two layers of thin fabric stitched together along lines that permit the cups to conform to the breasts, the respective warp threads of the layers being at substantially right angles to each other; reinforcements at the top edges of the cups; and shoulder straps connecting the reinforced upper edges of the breast cups and encircling members.

3. In a garment of the character described: separate body-encircling members; a pair of breast cups attached to said members, each of said cups being made of superimposed layers of thin fabric lightly stitched together, the respective selvage edges of each layer being at substantially right angles to each other; an elastic gore connecting the encircling members and disposed in the concavity formed by the lower inner edges of the cups; crossed reinforcing members attached respectively to each breast cup, and to each other, for coordinating the flexing movement of the breast cups; and shoulder straps connecting the reinforced upper edges of the breast cups and the encircling members.

RAYMOND J. REDAR-ES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record rin the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date '1,637,840 Volk Aug. 2, 1927 1,815,697 Bauckman July 2l, 1931 2,202,058 Malnick May 28, 1940 2,383,804 Kaunitz Aug. 28, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Countryy Date 798,192 France May 11, 1932 

